Biomechanics ace Phil celebrates at UCLan graduation

A Preston student is celebrating after achieving a distinction in his sports science master's degree which included working with players from Super League Club Wigan Warriors.

Phil Nagy has been awarded a distinction grade for his MSc in Biomechanics from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and focused on the strength differences in the dominant and non-dominant legs in athletes, in particular footballers, for his final project.

Speaking at his graduation ceremony the 22-year-old from Ingol commented: “I was amazed to find out I’d got a distinction. I’ve worked really hard and now it’s paid off. My heart has always been in sports science and I’ve given this course my best shot.”

“It was a great experience to work with elite athletes and see how the professionals carry out their tests and learn from it.”

During his full-time course Phil was able to use state-of-the-art biomechanics equipment in UCLan’s motion analysis laboratory to conduct detailed research. In addition to his main project, along with other students he also carried out a range of physiological checks on Wigan Warriors players during the club’s annual pre-season fitness tests at the University.

He said: “It was a great experience to work with elite athletes and see how the professionals carry out their tests and learn from it.”

"To achieve a distinction grade in sports biomechanics at postgraduate level is an incredible feat and is testament to the hard work by Phil and the staff from the division of sport exercise and nutritional sciences.”

Phil’s tutor, Associate Lecturer Jonathan Sinclair from the Centre for Sports and Exercise Sciences, said: “Phil is to be heartily congratulated on his achievement. To achieve a distinction grade in sports biomechanics at postgraduate level is an incredible feat and is testament to the hard work by Phil and the staff from the division of sport exercise and nutritional sciences.”

The former Our Lady’s Catholic High School and Cardinal Newman College pupil now has his sight set on an even greater qualification, a PhD. Phil added: “I really want to take my research further and am already looking into applying to study for a PhD at UCLan.”